Drink-driving A55 pursuit ends in prison sentence

A man who led police on a high-speed chase while twice over the legal drink-driving limit has been sentenced to 16 months in prison.

Dale Broome, 29, of Uplands Avenue, Portobello, Wolverhampton, was arrested on the A55 near Abergele in the early hours of 10 December 2024. Police had received reports of dangerous driving and located Broome, who fled at speeds of up to 100mph, including on a 20mph road.

The pursuit ended when Broome reversed down a country lane at high speed before becoming stuck in mud on an embankment.

He was arrested and charged with multiple offences, including drink driving, driving whilst disqualified, failing to stop, dangerous driving, and driving without insurance.

Broome appeared before Caernarfon Crown Court yesterday, Thursday, January 10, where he was sentenced to 16 months in prison and disqualified from driving for four years and eight months.

The incident occurred during North Wales Police’s participation in Op Limit, a national campaign aimed at reducing fatal and serious road collisions.

The campaign, which ran from 1 December 2024 to 1 January 2025, led to almost 200 arrests across the region for drink or drug driving.

Sergeant Emma Birrell of the Roads Crime Unit said: “Driving under the influence means motorists take risks every time they get behind the wheel. They put themselves and others at risk. Drink and drug driving ruins lives and is completely avoidable.”

She added that community reports were key to catching offenders, citing the case of a 36-year-old HGV driver stopped on the A55 near Bangor after testing positive for cocaine, thanks to a 999 call from concerned members of the public.

North Wales Police urged the public to continue reporting suspected drink or drug driving, emphasising that anonymous tips can be submitted to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The campaign saw 66 arrests for drink driving and 108 for drug driving, with offenders aged between 17 and 78.